Easy Tips for Stain Removal at Home

You can buy fancy stain removers, but chances are that you have the materials to remove some of the toughest stains in your house already. Read on for tips on removing stains from marble, silverware, aluminum siding and sofas. Excerpted from the Popular Mechanics book When Duct Tape Just Isn't Enough, published by Hearst Books/Sterling Publishing.

Dec 18, 2009

Home maintenance isn't restricted to repairs. In fact, certain tasks-- when performed regularly--may actually prevent things from breaking in the first place. But when things do go wrong (and it's inevitable that they do), we have some backup plans that you can try before you grab the phone to call for pro. Appliances and plumbing are the most frequent offenders, but they also often can be the simplest to care for. From the gutters to the living room carpet, there's a reliable method for keeping every part of your home clean, safe, and well maintained.

2:31 || MERLOT ON THE MARBLE:

You just found out that marble will absorb wine, and now your face isn't the only thing that's red.

THE QUICK FIX

Soak a clean soft cloth in hydrogen peroxide and cover the stain with the cloth. Cover the cloth with a layer of plastic wrap and set a book on top. Keep the cloth on the stain overnight. This will work for any beverage stain.

2:32 || A LITTLE OFF THE SIDING:

Your aluminum siding is looking dingy--can you restore its original good looks without replacing it completely?

THE QUICK FIX

If the siding isn't too far gone, then all it might need is a thorough cleaning. To minimize streaking, wash the siding from the bottom to the top, otherwise, the surface below is cleaned unevenly by streams of solution racing down. Rinse from top to bottom. For manual cleaning, use a solution of 1/3 cup nonammonia detergent, 2/3 cup trisodium phosphate (a cleaning agent and degreaser available at most hardware stores in white powder form), 1 quart laundry bleach, and 3 quarts water. Use a sponge or a soft brush and don't scrub too vigorously or you may remove the finish. If you're pressure washing, use a fan-shaped spray at low pressure, liquid--not powdered--cleaner, and no bleach. Incidentally, if your home has vinyl siding, use vinyl floor cleaner and a large sponge for cleaning.

2:33 || SPEED SHINE:

Subset of Murphy's Law: Only when you're ready to set the table for that really special dinner party will you discover your silverware is tarnished.

THE QUICK FIX

Don't bother with the polishing rag--it's a waste of time. Line a disposable lasagna pan with aluminum foil, shiny side up. Fill with enough water to cover your silverware in the pan, add a tablespoon of baking soda and your silverware. Place on a stove burner over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes and the tarnish will transfer to the aluminum foil. However--don't use this method with antique silver pieces; it will strip the black oxidation that gives the detail on those pieces their character.

2:34 || LIKE NEW:

Nothing says "sad home" like rust stains in your bathtub.

THE QUICK FIX

Although long-term rust stains may be a sign that the tub needs to be refinished or replaced, oxidation stains of a more recent vintage can be removed with a paste made of hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar. Scrub the paste in and leave it for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly with hot water to remove it. Repeat as necessary.

2:35 || GLUE CLUE:

Crafts accident! The balsa wood plane is in one piece, but your living room couch has a nice dab of white glue front and center.

THE QUICK FIX

If you have kids or crafters in your home, this is going to be a frequent ocurrence. Luckily, you most likely have everything needed for removal at hand. Use a dull straightedge, such as a spatula or letter opener, to remove whatever glue you can without spreading it out. Then, according to Mary Ellen, star of HGTV's TIPical Mary Ellen and author of It Works! Over a Thousand New Uses for Common Household Items, "Combine a mixture of one part warm water to one part white vinegar in a spray bottle and moisten the stain area and blot off the glue. Repeat as necessary, and rinse with cool water when the stain is gone. Dry with a clean, absorbent cloth."

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